Former Nurse Fired After Viral Video Confronting Israeli Men in Times Square Over Palestine Claims

Jennifer Koonings, a former psychiatric nurse practitioner and sexual assault forensic examiner, has been fired from Inspire Mental Health Services (IMHS) after a viral video surfaced showing her confronting Israeli men in New York City's Times Square. The footage, posted on her Instagram account, depicts Koonings accusing the men of being "baby killers" and questioning them about alleged atrocities in Palestine. The men, who are not shown interacting with her or appearing confrontational, remain unidentified. Koonings yells, "F--- Israel," and repeatedly calls them "terrorists," despite no evidence of any wrongdoing by the individuals in the video.

A bystander dressed as Spider-Man attempts to intervene, urging Koonings to stop her verbal harassment. She dismisses him, mocking his costume while reiterating her claims about the men being "baby killers." The video ends with Koonings captioning it, "Make baby k*llers uncomfortable again," a phrase that has since drawn widespread condemnation. The incident, which appears to be a one-sided verbal confrontation without physical escalation, has sparked debates over free speech, professional conduct, and the role of mental health professionals in political discourse.

StopAntisemitism, an organization dedicated to combating antisemitism, exposed Koonings' affiliations and criticized IMHS for allowing her to remain employed. "The video clearly showed a mental health provider engaging in explicit antisemitic harassment," said Liora Rez, founder of StopAntisemitism, in a statement to Fox News Digital. "By bringing widespread attention to it, StopAntisemitism ensured both the public and her employer were forced to confront it." IMHS confirmed Koonings' termination, citing her conduct as incompatible with her professional responsibilities.

Koonings responded to her firing with a post sharing an email from IMHS and stating, "Nice job zios lol you got me fired from a place I was working like 8 hours a week at & I would still shout BABY KILLERS at IOF MURDERERS again!!!" The term "IOF," commonly used by anti-Israel activists, refers to the Israel Occupation Forces rather than the officially recognized Israel Defense Forces. In a follow-up video, Koonings claimed she identified the men as Israeli based on their appearance, though they did not dispute her assertion. She continued to accuse them of war crimes and compared Israelis to Nazis, prompting one man to push back on her Holocaust-related remarks.

This is not the first time Koonings has faced professional consequences for her political views. In 2024, she was fired from Mount Sinai Hospital after questioning reports of mass rape by Hamas during the Oct. 7, 2023, attack. She later told TRT World that she did not regret speaking out. However, United Nations investigators have confirmed credible evidence of sexual violence, including rape and gang rape, committed by Hamas during the massacre.

Koonings' social media presence, which includes over 122,000 followers, frequently features critiques of Israel and U.S. foreign policy. Her latest controversy has reignited discussions about the balance between free expression and the ethical obligations of mental health professionals. Experts emphasize that while individuals have the right to voice their opinions, actions that incite hatred or harm others' reputations without evidence can cross professional boundaries.

The incident underscores broader tensions in public discourse, particularly around how personal beliefs intersect with professional roles. As Koonings' case unfolds, organizations and policymakers face renewed pressure to address antisemitism and ensure that mental health care remains a space for empathy, not political activism.

Survivors of the Oct. 7 attacks have shared harrowing accounts of their captivity, revealing that both male and female hostages endured sexual violence during their ordeal. These testimonies, obtained through limited channels, paint a grim picture of the conditions faced by those held in the aftermath of the assault. One survivor, who requested anonymity, described being subjected to repeated interrogations and physical abuse, with threats of further harm if they did not comply with captors' demands. Another recounted being forced to witness acts of violence against others, a psychological toll that has left lasting scars. These accounts, though fragmented, underscore the severity of the trauma experienced by hostages and have fueled calls for international attention to the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region.

The activist Koonings, whose ties to CODEPINK—a group known for its vocal opposition to U.S. military interventions—have long placed her at the center of debates over foreign policy, has recently amplified her criticism of Israel's actions. In a series of interviews with independent media outlets, she argued that the Israeli government's response to the Oct. 7 attacks has exacerbated tensions rather than resolved them. Her remarks, which have drawn both support and condemnation, include a controversial claim that Iran has emerged "stronger and more unified" despite sustained pressure from the U.S. and its allies. Koonings cited Iran's growing influence in Syria and Iraq as evidence of this resilience, a perspective that contradicts official narratives from Western governments. Her statements have reignited discussions about the effectiveness of military strategies in the region, with some analysts questioning whether sanctions and airstrikes have achieved their intended goals.

Efforts to verify Koonings' claims and understand the broader implications of her activism have been complicated by the lack of direct responses from key institutions. Fox News Digital reached out to Koonings, the International Medical Humanitarian Society (IMHS), and Mount Sinai Hospital for clarification on their roles in the aftermath of the attacks, but none provided statements before the deadline. This silence has only deepened speculation about the extent of collaboration between humanitarian groups and political actors. Meanwhile, CODEPINK has continued to advocate for a ceasefire, organizing protests and lobbying lawmakers to prioritize diplomatic solutions over military escalation. As the situation remains volatile, the absence of clear responses from organizations at the heart of the crisis raises questions about transparency and the challenges of navigating a conflict where information is tightly controlled.